DIABETES: WHEN SHOULD YOU GET TESTED?

Do you regularly hear about diabetes screening but you have no idea if it concerns you? Overview of the situations that should lead to consultation!

Abdominal fat and type 2 diabetes

Pierre, 48, has always had a penchant for dishes in sauce and an aversion to sport. Result: he has not managed to get rid of the belly that has formed year after year.

“Pierre has two risk factors for type 2 diabetes that should prompt him to get screened:

• age, type 2 diabetes occurring in the vast majority of cases after 40 years,

• overweight, in particular the presence of abdominal fat which promotes cell resistance to insulin.

 

If diabetes is detected early, it is possible to limit its progression and avoid going directly through the medication box. Indeed, a diet and regular physical activity to eliminate abdominal fat can have the effect of reducing blood sugar - blood sugar levels. Hence the interest in consulting from the age of 40,” insists Nicolas Paquot, diabetologist.

 

Type 1 diabetes: the characteristics

Thomas, 16, lost a lot of weight very quickly. He is very tired, drinks a lot and has to urinate constantly.

“Sudden weight loss, fatigue, the need to urinate and drink regularly in adolescence are the symptoms that characterize type 1 diabetes . Faced with a teenager presenting this type of symptom, the trail of type 1 diabetes must be mentioned because insulin treatment must begin very quickly. » 

 

Heredity of type 2 diabetes

Nicole, 35, has just learned that her father has type 2 diabetes and wonders if she too should consult a diabetologist.

“Heredity is one of the three major risk factors for type 2 diabetes . It is not necessary that Nicole consults immediately but screening from the age of 40 is strongly recommended. As well as respect for hygieno-dietetic rules. »

 

gestational diabetes

Sophie, 50, suffered from gestational diabetes during both of her pregnancies.

“In 50% of cases, gestational diabetes is a warning sign of type 2 diabetes . It is therefore advisable for women who have suffered from gestational diabetes to get tested when they enter their forties. »

 

Insulin production disorder

Natacha, 38, regularly teases her 13- and 16-year-old sons when they ask to see pictures of them as babies… Weighing 4 and 4.5 kilos respectively at birth, they had a very round face.

"Having given birth to children weighing more than 4 kilos is a sign that there may be a disorder in the production of insulin . It is therefore better for Natacha to be screened after her 40th birthday . »

 

Focus on the 2 types of diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes usually appears in adolescence and is characterized by a complete inability to produce insulin , the molecule that helps maintain normal blood sugar levels. Since it is accompanied by characteristic symptoms, it is easily diagnosed and must be treated with insulin.

 

• Type 2 diabetes generally appears after the age of 40 and is characterized by two phenomena:

  • a decrease in insulin production

  • resistance of the body's cells to the action of insulin.

This diabetes sets in gradually and is not accompanied by specific symptoms: which makes it more difficult to detect (even if a simple blood test is enough) . It is often diagnosed late, at the onset of a cardiovascular disease: heart attack , stroke , etc.
 

Advice from your Giphar pharmacist

In November, your Giphar pharmacist offers you a free diabetes screening at the pharmacy. Of course, if this test is positive, a consultation with a doctor should be considered.